Hambleton confirmed as next NEHTA chair, Halton leaves DoH

Former AMA president Steve Hambleton has been confirmed as the new chairman of the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), taking over from businessman David Gonski.

As reported yesterday, Mr Gonski has stood down from the role after six years. In a statement, NEHTA said its constitution meant he was not eligible for a third three-year term.

Dr Hambleton was a member of the review panel established to inquire into the design and roll-out of the PCEHR, which recommended that NEHTA be dissolved and a new agency created in its place that reported directly to the Standing Committee on Health (SCoH), which comprises the state and federal health ministers.

NEHTA said the clinical expertise and leadership Dr Hambleton will bring to the role “will be vital in ensuring that eHealth becomes widely adopted in clinical settings across Australia”.

Long-standing Department of Health secretary Jane Halton is also leaving her position to take up the high-profile role of secretary of the Department of Finance.